“Reading and writing are acts of empathy and faith. Guard that trust carefully — in this rapidly changing business, it’s the only sure thing.” ~Erin Keane

"Never give up. And most importantly, be true to yourself. Write from your heart, in your own voice, and about what you believe in." ~ Louise Brown

"Write something to suit yourself and many people will like it; write something to suit everybody and scarcely anyone will care for it." ~Jesse Stuart

"A writer's job is to take one thing and make it stand for twenty." ~ Virginia Woolf

Friday, April 18, 2014

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Panajachel

Panajachel, called Pana for short, is about 90 miles, or a three hour drive from Guatemala City. It is one of several towns on Guatemala's fabulous Lake Atitlan, in Guatemala's high country at an elevation of over 5000 ft. Population is about 15,000 and growing. The weather is gorgeous, never too hot or too cold, because of the elevation and the lake.

People like to take off at the harbor and do a boat tour of Lake Atitlan, visiting other villages along the shore.

On the hills around Pana, you can see how the farmers grow their crops in terraced fields.

Pana is where we are now living, with no plans to move any time soon, God willing. Our family's hotel Casa Colonial is
right off the main street, called Calle Santander, where tourists
wander up and down to shop at the stalls selling traditional Guatemalan
items and to eat at the local restaurants.

Casa Colonial Hotel, now open for guests. Come and enjoy Pana!

My husband taking a break from all the walking we do up and down the streets of Pana.

Not all streets of Pana are as busy as Calle Santander. Behind these walls are quiet gardens, homes and apartment dwellings. There's always somewhere interesting to walk along the cobblestone streets. I've walked all over and always felt safe.

It is especially nice to see a branch of our church just down the street from the hotel. It makes us feel right at home each Sunday when we attend services.

Hi Karen - I too would definitely like to come out at some stage - sounds positively idyllic ... I love the terraces - they've got them in Peru and similarly in southern China - makes you wonder re travel ...

My husband and I have always wanted to visit Guatemala and your posts have trully invited us to make the trip. Panajachel's pictures are just gorgeous!! Thank you for your postings!Suehttp://www.door2lore.com/3/post/2014/04/quilts-lifes-memories.html

Please stay and make yourself at home. I made cookies.

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